Stone details steps taken to ‘right-left’ clash

According to archaeologist Kudavayal Balasubramanian, there were two major groups among the people during the 13th century - the Edangai (left hand) and Valangai (right hand). This system of discrimination people even lasted till during the era of Chola, Pandiya, Vijayanagara and Nayakar kings. The two groups viewed each other as opponents over rights and life status, he added.

During the later age, the Edangai shrunk to six while the Valangai swell to 30 units. However, during the regime of Kochadayavarman Thiribhuvana Chakravarthi Sundara Pandiya Thevar, he brought the people of both the sects together at the Thirumangalam temple and decided to resolve the differences between them. It is said that both the groups promised what the king had urged for. Thus, the several centuries-long rivalry between the two communities was brought to an end through a peaceful settlement.

Accordingly, the inscription claims that the people, who triggered a clash between the sects would be termed as a common enemy of the entire country. The inscription could be treated as an evidence that the caste system was curbed even in the monarchy days, Balasubramanian said.